Goran Dragic snubbed as Eastern Conference Player of the Month
Despite their recent success, the Miami Heat have been snubbed once again as Goran Dragic misses out on earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month.
The Miami Heat have certainly become the underdogs of the East.
Just one game out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference as of Thursday, the 28-33 Heat have dug themselves out of quite a hole. Sitting at an atrocious 11-30 less than two months ago, Miami is now this close to becoming a playoff contender.
Something that most probably could not have imagined in their wildest dreams.
But unfortunately, it seems the team is still going overlooked.
Even despite making the impossible, possible.
And no one player is a better example of this than Goran Dragic.
Dragic has had to endure an uphill battle, ever since he arrived in South Beach. Acquired on the brink of the 2015 NBA trade deadline, he was not extended the warmest of greetings. Not even necessarily because of anything he had done. But simply because his introduction came on the heels of Chris Bosh being diagnosed with blood clots in his lung.
The guard did not let this stop him though. Nor did he pay attention to the defeated attitude of Heat Nation, a direct result of losing LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers that past summer. No, he simply went to work, averaging 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game in 34.8 minutes.
Yet, as the Heat missed the postseason, his efforts continued to go unnoticed.
Then 2015-16 came, and so did a call to trade the newly signed star. Feeling the pressure to deliver an unforgettable performance that year, after finishing 37-45 in 2014-15, some did not feel like Dragic was a good match alongside Dwyane Wade.
And in part, they were right. Dragic was used to a high-speed offense, his remarkable ability to run the floor being one of his greatest strengths. But he could not do things his way just yet. He had to let Wade lead the team, his numbers falling to 14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest.
This of course all changed, once Wade took his talents to the Chicago Bulls.
2016-17 was Dragic’s for the taking. His time had finally come.
So what did the 30-year-old do?
Starting playing the best basketball of his life.
Averaging a whopping 20.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists a matchup so far this season, he is a huge part of Miami’s resurgence. Having averaged 21.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game in December and January combined, the guard is more than just a sharp-shooter. He is a playmaker, too.
But apparently, that is not enough to get noticed anymore in this league.
Because even though Dragic averaged 22.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per contest in February, the honor of Eastern Conference Player of the Month went to James instead.
Now statically, this makes sense.
James, having averaged 25.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 10.6 assists a matchup in the month of February, certainly looks better on paper.
Nevermind that his No. 1 spot team is doing pretty darn well at the moment, going 9-2 last month.
But the Heat went 8-3.
And Dragic is the only other player alongside James to average at least 22.5 points, shooting 53 percent and 46 percent from three.
Bet you did not know that.
Need a closer look at some of his recent performances?
Well, there was that 33-point game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he also grabbed 2 rebounds and dished out 9 assists.
Dragic also went 30, 5 and 2 (with 2 steals) versus the Philadelphia 76ers.
So to say he had a good month, would be an understatement.
Seeing as he was alone in joining James in being a top Eastern shooter for February, a shared Player of the Month honor would have been nice.
Or, you know, even a mere shoutout to the Slovenian stud.
But at this point, Miami has accepted itself as being underrated.
Next: Rumor: Miami Heat not interested in current buyout candidates
Because victory tastes that much sweeter when it is unexpected. 13-Okaro anyone? Watch out world, the Heat are making a comeback.